Fire at Basildon recycling centre

Fire crews are at the scene of a recycling centre in Basildon and are expected to remain there throughout the weekend.

Essex Fire and Rescue were called to Hovefields Avenue at 1.15am finding a unit approximately 50 metres by 40 metres, including warehouses and about 15 vehicles, fully alight and ten additional crews were requested.

The incident has since been scaled back to five crews.

Group Manager Steve Wintrip said: "Site staff are using a digger to move and break up the recycling so our crews can extinguish it.

"This will be a long process and we expect to be on site for at least another 48 hours.

"It will also continue to create a lot of smoke, so we would urge residents in Basildon and Wickford to keep doors and windows closed."

Due to smoke in the area, anyone living near the incident is advised to keep their doors and windows closed, and motorists using the A127 between the Nevendon interchange and Rayleigh Spur roundabout are urged to take extra care.